 "App updates you should know: Facebook, Skype, Shazam and more!")
Niche apps, used by select audiences but loved as much as the next application, have been updated in bunches this week. Add to it updates from the usual suspects like Skype and Google, and we promise that you’re going to have a whale of a time updating apps at your OS’s App Stores. Here are some of the most important app updates this week:
Shazam for iOS
The music discovery app will now let your Twitter followers check out previews of the song when you tweet it out. This one update takes full advantage of Twitter’s Player Card. Just like you can view a video from YouTube without having to leave Twitter, you will be able to check out a part of the song shared by your friends using Shazam and even purchase it via iTunes.
The app has also been updated to recognise songs faster as well as a chart to display most popular tracks in the past week. Get Shazam for iOS from the App Store to start sharing.
Google Drive for iOS
Yes, here’s yet another update for iOS users. Android users need not be disappointed, though, since the Google Drive for iOS update is only bringing it up to speed with the Google OS version. Say hello to card style layout that you are now familiar with on Google Drive for Android and Google+.
You will now be able to see thumbnail previews of files and photos when you’re in your drive. You can also toggle between a new grid view and the list view and choose which one you’d like in order to browse easy. Grabbing a link for a file is easy too. Just hit on “Get Link” and be on your way. Download Google Drive for iOS here.
Card based layout, ahoy!
Facebook for Android
Finally, Facebook gets a fun new update on Android. If you’re using Android version 4.0.2 and up, you will now be able to see stickers belonging to packs like Pusheen, Beast and Anooki animate themselves when you send them out.
Facebook is also continuing on its promise of improving the Home experience for users with the Android launcher installed. With this update, you will now find music controls right on your lock screen. A little late with this feature, but Facebook Home is really starting to feel like a good skin now. Download Facebook for Android here.
GetGlue for iOS
The social TV check-in application has had a makeover for iOS users. GetGlue for iOS has been completely redesigned with a more visually rich guide for TV and Movies. If you’re in the US, you can use it to instantly watch movies and shows via Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and more services as well as turn the application into a remote control for DIRECTV.
Not in the US? No worries. GetGlue has also been updated with pages that display full lists of episodes that combine activity feed and summaries. Search and Discovery too has been made easy with the update. The app will now also remind you of episodes you need to catch up with and movies you need to see with its Want to Watch feature. Highly recommended if you follow American television series. Download GetGlue for iOS.
A refreshing new look
Skype for Windows Phone 8
It’s finally here! You will now be able to send video messages to your contacts on Skype using your Windows Phone 8 devices. While iOS and Android have had this feature for a while, Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform seemed to be missing from the list. It was a shame, too, since Skype belongs to the company.
You can now simply open a conversation and tap on the “+” sign to record and send your offline contact a video message. Download Skype for Windows Phone 8 here.
Evernote 5 for Windows
The note taking application is getting a new version with a flat, redesigned look. The app has a quick shortcuts panel, reminders and related notes too. The revamp makes Evernote 5 for Windows look a lot more like its Mac version. You can either choose to download the latest version of
Evernote 5 for Windows here or you can wait till the auto-update rolls out for it next week.
A whole new version of Evernote for Windows
Paypal for iOS and Android
Online payment service PayPal has refreshed its mobile applications on both
iOS and
Android completely. Redesigned from the ground up, the apps will let you do a whole lot of more things with your account than it did earlier.
You can now check into establishments to get coupons and offers to help you with your shopping. You can even use the application to book a table or order for dishes in advance and pay for them to cut down on waiting time. There’s also a new service called Bill Me Later that will let you pay using PayPal at a later time. There are loads more features that have been crammed into PayPal’s apps, however, these apps are available only in around 125 markets in the world and India is not one of them.
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